1906-1914 Challenges and Crises Flashcards
What was the first constitutional crisis?
1909-1911 saw a clash between HoL and HoC, first over the People’s Budget, then over the Parliament act. DLG’s budget raised anger from conservatives who feared redistribution taxes. 1909, the Lords vetoed the budget. The prerogative that the Lords shouldn’t interfere with money was broken, and the govt had no legal authority to collect taxes. They had no choice but to call a general election jan 1910
How did the Jan 1910 election compromise liberals?
lost a significant amount of seats so could no longer comfortably pass bills.
What impact did the first crisis have on the new liberal government?
After the veto in 1909, the new Libs could have a go at HoL to criticise them, trying to limit their powers. They made it very clear in their election campaign with ‘peers versus the people’ and pushed for less power in HoL.
What did the 1910 Parliament bill propose?
-HoL could not amend or reject bills that the speaker certified as true money bills
-HoL could not veto, but could delay for 2 years
-maximum period between gen. elections went from 7 years to five years
Should the HoL have been reformed in 1910?
YES- Liberals can move forward with their legislative programs of reform, constitution more democratic
NO- crisis divided the Conservative, so Balfour was forced to resign
What did the December 1910 election bring?
similar results to the one in january, Liberals had working majority with the support of Labour and Irish Nationalists
What were Rats, Hedgers, and Ditchers/Diehards?
R- Conservatives who felt the lords should cooperate with the Parliament act
H- conservatives who were undecided, led by Lord Lansdowne
D- Conservatives determined to oppose the bill, led by Willoughby de Broke
What impact did the constitutional crisis have on the new Liberal govt?
strengthened reform, shifted power dynamics, increased dependence on Labour and Irish Nationalists, Rising political tensions
What obstacles did female emancipation face?
-not a lot of political support
-male suffrage was still contentious
-not all women supported it
-parties unclear how women would vote
-strong belief politics wasn’t for women
-social reforms were already controversial
What did Millicent Fawcett do?
by 22, she ran the NUWSS and was a moderate campaigner. By 1905 the NUWSS had reached 50 000 members
What did the WSPU do?
militant suffragettes, deeds not words, ran by the Pankhursts
What militant tactics did the WSPU use?
arson, physical assault, hunger strikes in prisons
When is the Prisoner’s Discharge Act (Cat and Mouse Act) passed?
1913
when were the three home rule bills?
1886, 1893, 1912
Why did conservatives oppose the Home Rule Bill?
said it undermined Great Britain’s power status, said libs had no authority to change the constitution, Ulster didn’t want industry taxed
When did Edward Carson draw up the Ulster Covenant?
- Thousands signed.
What did Carson do 1913?
When the Bill passed he started to form an army - Ulster Volunteer Force
What did Carson do 1914?
His supporters smuggled 30 000 rifles and 3 million rounds of ammunition to the port of Carne. Curragh Mutiny, officers threatened to resign
How did Ulster Unionists try and stop Home Rule?
1912: Ulster’s Solemn League and Covenant was a petition to stop HR, Thousands signed. 1913: Carson forms an army to resist imposition of an all-Irish parliament. 1914: Carson’s supporters smuggler 30 000 rifles and
How did the Irish nationalists respond to the Ulster Unionists
Formed the Irish Volunteers to enforce HR. Summer of 1914, smuggled rifles, created fear of civil war
What happened with the matter of Irish Home Rule in 1914?
HR bull due to become law in 1914, last minute talks between parties at Buckingham palace failed to reach an agreement but civil war was averted due to the outbreak of war. The Irish problem was suspended.
What was industrial unrest like?
covered the country, no one happy with wages or working conditions. Widespread unrest.
Was Britain facing revolution in 1914?
YES- strikes, syndicalism, Ulster unionists, Ulster Volunteer Force, Curragh Mutiny, WSPU becoming more violent, growth of labour
NO-British state had control, suppressed strikes and militancy efficiently. most workers sought better wages, not to overthrow the govt, conflicting goals
